Hi folks
I've seen the thread(s) about the reflective pannier decals available from the US - the red set apparently looks shite and the white illegal.
Got me thinking - what about the chevron style ones seen on police bikes etc? I admit they have a police look about them, but as far as I can make out they're not illegal for private vehicles...and I'd rather been seen!
Sent a quick email to bluelit enquiring about such an idea. Will let you folks know the outcome. I'm not sure they will supply to individuals but worth a quick email!
Jon :yes:
Are the white illegal? They are only white when light shines on them. Otherwise they appear as black.
I see plenty of lorries on the roads that reflect white.
Sorry should have been more specific...I meant white without light shining on them. Black is fine :smiley:
Its a dull white that gets reflected. I can't see why you'd get stopped for them.
Having said that, last week I encountered the only copper that believed if you overtook him @ 70mph on the motorway, he had a God given right to overtake and pullup alongside you just to give the "don't :censored: with me" look.
Its the unmarked cars you want to look out for. They are everywhere! I live round the corner from our local police station. I saw 4 unmarked BMW 3 series come out one after the other.
Shhhhh. Walls have ears on this Forum :whistling:
WHite reflectives are illegal.
It's an offence to show a red light to the front or anything other than a red light to the rear.
This includes reflective surfaces that appear like a light.
Reflective red chevrons are quite legal.
On my BMW F800GS hard Zega Pro panniers I use a strip of 3M Diamond Grade Red Reflective Tape, it's ECE 104 Approved Marking Tape. I got 5cm x 1m from eBay priced @ £5.35 with FREE postage. It's super bright when the light hits it. Not decided yet whether I'll put any on my GTR1400 panniers.
(http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii552/AdventureVagabond/Touratech%20Zega%20Pro/IMG_0383.jpg)
An old photo of one of my panniers when it was virgin, now covered in stickers...
(http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii552/AdventureVagabond/Touratech%20Zega%20Pro/IMG_0385-1.jpg)
Insanely bright!
Quote from: Winston Smith on February 02, 2014, 10:15:14 PM
<snip>
It's an offence to show a red light to the front or anything other than a red light to the rear.
This includes reflective surfaces that appear like a light.
<snip>
Just a question, not posing an argument.
What about the amber/yellow turn signals on the rear of the bike?
Amber turn signals make more sense than the red ones sometimes used in the USA.
When you turn the signal on it stands out more.
A red turn signal could lead you to think someone is braking if the other bulb was busted.
Here is my bike with the red reflector pack fitted.
Yes, I have replaced the Bazooka launcher with a 2Bros exhaust since that pic was taken.
(http://gtr1000.com/graphics/tech/viv_rear1.jpg)
Regulation 1 1(2) Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989
No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp or retro reflective material capable of showing any light to the rear other than a red light except:-
Amber - Direction indicator or side marker lamp
(several exemptions such as emergency vehicles / hazard chemical/ yellow/blue reflective of number plate etc)
This is my setup copied/stolen from Debs.
(http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r538/Gonome/P9150004_zps69fe09e1.jpg) (http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/Gonome/media/P9150004_zps69fe09e1.jpg.html)
Wonder if there are issues riding there with Italy plates and white rear panels?
Whatever Winston says is what I would say if I could remember half of what I was taught. :mfr_lol:
He is the oracle! :yes:
Quote from: Gonome on February 03, 2014, 12:55:27 PM
This is my setup copied/stolen from Debs.
(http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r538/Gonome/P9150004_zps69fe09e1.jpg) (http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/Gonome/media/P9150004_zps69fe09e1.jpg.html)
Two observations:
1) Is that the rear custom mudguard available from one of our members?
2) Red reflectors look good - did you cut them yourself?
Similar to most, work for me,,,,,,i think
Quote from: Ant on February 03, 2014, 08:57:22 PM
Similar to most, work for me,,,,,,i think
Alas - they are not legal...
Quote from: Winston Smith on February 03, 2014, 09:02:09 PM
Alas - they are not legal...
Ah, But I'm exempt....I usually have diet coke in the top box, dangerous for anyone ! :mfr_lol:
Quote from: Ant on February 03, 2014, 09:38:41 PM
Ah, But I'm exempt....I usually have diet coke in the top box, dangerous for anyone ! :mfr_lol:
Eh?
In other words, I don't give a monkeys if they are legal or not.........as long as I'm seen, but not too bright so my brake light is still seen...
Quote from: jonkawasaki on February 03, 2014, 06:00:17 PM
Two observations:
1) Is that the rear custom mudguard available from one of our members?
2) Red reflectors look good - did you cut them yourself?
Yes and yes.
Quote from: Winston Smith on February 03, 2014, 09:02:09 PM
Alas - they are not legal...
As mine are not legal either because i put white facing rear i have now ordered some red, will change them on the panniers this weekend, i don't want either a fine or points.
Alan
The legal rationale behind it is that anything white (either emitting light or retro reflecting it) could appear as if a vehicle were approaching head on. Therefore it is self defeating placing white reflective on the rear. By doing so imagine driving in heavy rain for example, seeing the white (particularly through a rain drenched/steamed up visor) trying to work out why something on your side of the road - brain thinks it's approaching (perhaps stationary or slower moving) causing avoidance manoeuvre with potentially lethal results.
Indeed Whinny is an Oracle and correct in what he says ... obviously .... but in this day and age of the thin blue line getting really thin and working overload ( Yes Steve, that includes DPG !!!!!! ) I could not imagine any rats I know or used to work with who would stop you let alone report or process you for such antics. My view, and yes I am one of those very few left who still uses that dirty word "discretion" ... is that the more bright sparkly reflective lighty stuff you have the better ... common sense must apply ! :police: :smiley:
Quote from: Rusty on February 04, 2014, 01:16:39 PM
Indeed Whinny is an Oracle and correct in what he says ... obviously .... but in this day and age of the thin blue line getting really thin and working overload ( Yes Steve, that includes DPG !!!!!! ) I could not imagine any rats I know or used to work with who would stop you let alone report or process you for such antics. My view, and yes I am one of those very few left who still uses that dirty word "discretion" ... is that the more bright sparkly reflective lighty stuff you have the better ... common sense must apply ! :police: :smiley:
:agree: :stupid: :agree: :stupid: :biker3: :biker3: :stupid: :agree: :stupid: :agree:
Quote from: Winston Smith on February 04, 2014, 10:12:18 AM
The legal rationale behind it is that anything white (either emitting light or retro reflecting it) could appear as if a vehicle were approaching head on. Therefore it is self defeating placing white reflective on the rear. By doing so imagine driving in heavy rain for example, seeing the white (particularly through a rain drenched/steamed up visor) trying to work out why something on your side of the road - brain thinks it's approaching (perhaps stationary or slower moving) causing avoidance manoeuvre with potentially lethal results.
As long as they avoid you the decals have served their purpose, no matter what colour they are.
You miss the point Jonathon.
Someone avoiding that situation may hit you. Head on.
Or you see them and become the avoiding vehicle. Head on with the vehicles who's lights you haven't see due to the attention focus and brightness of these reflective surfaces.
In the UK - because of this legislation - white being shown to the rear would be totally alien.
As I said, mix that with dark/rainy/steam up and the potential is potentially catastrophic.
Whether I agree or not with it all, all I am doing is answering a question and clarifying legal POV. What the individual does is entirely up to them...
It's at this point I realise I have very few pics of the back of my bike, however this one should give you an idea. 3M reflective panel and cut it yourself. The panels are self adhesive and if you use this type of shape the pannier surfaces are all flat so there are no problems with it lifting. Just clean the panniers with a solvent before you stick them down.
Of course the cheap way is to use some offcuts if you know anyone who might use this type of material :whistling:
Chris
Most traffic laws are usually in place for a good reason, and winston as explained this one very well
So this is my effort for increased conspicuity.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h884LbflmrM/Uk8PusYbKuI/AAAAAAAADxk/2I6zz2KB7XU/w771-h578-no/DSCF0229.JPG)
Quote from: dokterdave on February 05, 2014, 09:57:16 PM
So this is my effort for increased conspicuity.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h884LbflmrM/Uk8PusYbKuI/AAAAAAAADxk/2I6zz2KB7XU/w771-h578-no/DSCF0229.JPG)
did you cut these yourself?
Bluelite graphics got back to me....
£65 for the wide variety. £58 for the slim variety. The exact same ones used by the police, ambulance etc. Red and Yellow Prismatic 3M Diamond Grade.
See below
(http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab43/jonejsouthwell/KAWASAKIGTR14002013PANNIERS_zps307a08eb.jpg) (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/jonejsouthwell/media/KAWASAKIGTR14002013PANNIERS_zps307a08eb.jpg.html)
Does that include application or is it DIY
DIY
Quote from: jonkawasaki on February 15, 2014, 08:05:16 PM
(http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab43/jonejsouthwell/KAWASAKIGTR14002013PANNIERS_zps307a08eb.jpg) (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/jonejsouthwell/media/KAWASAKIGTR14002013PANNIERS_zps307a08eb.jpg.html)
I like those - ,ay have to change the plane red ones over :cool:
Bluelit did the stickers for this.
I used to have my own photo but can't find it.
(http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4147/4964987596_506a6fd3fd_o.jpg)
Ordering my pannier decals from BlueLite Graphics tomorrow. As soon as I get them and install them (dreaded soapy water game apparently :no:) I'll get some pictures up!
Also going to ask about forum discount!!